Super Bowl Snacks: Bacon-Cheddar Popcorn Recipe

Serious bacon lovers know that if bacon had a team in the NFL, it would most certainly be in the Super Bowl. So if you're having people over for the big game, or even if you're watching with immediate family, or hell, even if you're watching the game by yourself, you know that you want dips and chips and other finger food at your side.

The best source for seriously delicious bacon-centric finger foods and dips is James Villas' incomparable Bacon Cookbook,. So we're going to feature recipes adapted from Vilas' book every day leading up to the big game.

Today, bacon-cheddar popcorn. 'Nuff said.

Note: Villas says the key to maximum deliciousness with this recipe is adding the bacon fat to the cooking oil.

Ingredients

4 slices cured bacon

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/2 cup popcorn kernels

1/4 pound extra-sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated

Plenty of kosher salt

Directions

1.

Preheat the oven to 250°F.

2.

In a skillet, fry the bacon over moderate heat till crisp, drain on paper towels, and crumble finely.

3.

Pour 3 tablespoons of the bacon fat into a stove-top popcorn popper or deep, heavy saucepan with a lid, add the oil, and heat over moderately high heat till the mixture begins to smoke. Add the popcorn into a large ovenproof pot, add the cheese, bacon, and salt, and toss. Heat in the oven till the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Serve hot.

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